Ihatethis for him.
I hate that his mother is heartless and cruel, and is still continuing to damage him.
Wilder keeps going, the words spilling out of him in a rush, like he’s working through every scenario in his head out loud. “If I don’t pay her what she’s asking, then she could sell the story and expose us. People might believe her, or they might not, but the school will launch an investigation regardless. It just feels like no matter what the decision is, it’s a lose-lose situation that makes us have to continue hiding.”
He’s not wrong. Everything that he’s currently working through are all potential outcomes.
He’s getting antsy now, his leg bouncing, my body shaking in his lap.
“Wilder. Slow down, okay?” I say, reaching for his face again, holding his eyes. “What would happen if they found out about us? Coach Taylor, the dean? Is there something in the school policies that says you can’t date a student officially, or is it just frowned upon?”
“I’d be terminated,” he says without hesitation. “Violates the fraternization policy and the ethics code.”
My brow arches. “You checked?”
He nods. “The day we saw each other again. The first thing I did when you left my office.”
It’s probably not the right time. Actually, I know it’s not, but that doesn’t stop me from laughing.
“You looked up the policy… because you were so sure you’d break, didn’t you?”
“Always was gone for you, Sunshine.”
That warms my insides and makes everything feel gooey and soft.
I sigh, then exhale. “So you’d lose your job because of me. Wilder, I can’t let that happen. We can’t let that happen.”
A ghost of concern dances across his face, and he sighs, warm breath skating over my lips. “Baby, I’m not worried about my job. I’m worried about you. What aboutyou?”
It’s the same question I’ve tossed around in my head since I saw the message. When it became painfully real that there could be actual consequences to our relationship. Not just for me, but for him too.
It’s not that I hadn’t thought of it before now. Of course I had. I just didn’twantto think about it.
I’ve been actively avoiding thinking about all of the things that could go wrong and trying to focus on the now. Not focus on if orwhat could be.
Only it’s no longer any of those things. It isnow,and I can’t ignore it any longer.
I think… My parents would likely be very upset that I didn’t tell them about Wilder, and also because he’s so much older than I am, and… also in a position of power over me.
I’m sure the media would spin it far more maliciously than I can even imagine, which wouldn’t help my parents’ worrying.
Which is going to suck, admittedly.
I don’t want anyone’s attention on our relationship or misrepresenting either of us, but I would deal with it.
It would eventually die down, and people would find something else to focus on.
And my parents… I think they’d come around. Maybe not at first, but eventually. They know my heart, and ultimately… this ismydecision. Who I choose to love, who I choose to share my life with.
People would talk. On campus, at my father’s church, around town.
But the people who matter—my best friend, my family, friends—they’d be happy for me.
They’d see how Wilder treats me and be happy that I’ve found someone I love, even if he’s older and even if, you know, if we met at my college while he worked there.
I feel Wilder’s knuckle tipping my chin, and I shift my gaze back to his. “Talk to me, Maisie. Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
My nose crinkles. “The amount of gossip that would be going around about me. How scandalous… Me sleeping with the hockey coach.”
